What do people think about this novel concept? In almost all sports where heavy physical exertion takes place, athletes take weeks/months off their sport and athletics in general during the off season. They take the time to recover mentally, physically and emotionally from the drive. Perhaps this break is as important a discipline as the discipline to always go at it and push as it forces us to fight and reign in the compulsive desire to do something we have become addicted to. I am not a sports psychologist but I am sure the term "addicted to exercise" is not new.
As for the rest part, perhaps long periods of rest should apply to the sport of running. I have not thought about it much until my body has/was and is beaten up a bit and as a result, my psyche/ego and core being has and is effected to some extent. This is/has been a good thing as for a while, I was almost too focused on athletics and neglected other aspects of life. Being "on the shelf", so to speak has re-trained me to put life in perspective and regain some balance and some of the "old Max Lockwood". Perhaps, in retrospect, while I was fully healthy and addicted to running, I should have taken more trips to Jamaica or just weeks and or months off from the regimen of hard exercise and pushing the body to its limits all of those years.
Its water under the bridge now but I am curious what others think.
Be an artist with your life and paint a complete picture along the way.
_______________M
7 comments:
"As for the rest part, perhaps long periods of rest should apply to the sport of running..." - And blogging!!
- JARRIN
Zing!
Just a small correction:
In almost all sports where heavy physical exertion takes place, athletes take weeks/months off from competition during the off season.
Though these are interesting comments I am thinking more about taking time off in order to see the sport in a different light. One might compare their relationship with running or another intense sport with a marriage or relationship between people. Sometimes, in order to nurture it/make it grow, etc. for a lifetime, the principles involved need "space" and a "break" from each other in order to refresh the engines, gain greater appreciation, etc. for the relationship. Ditto for sport.
life is interesting
Though these are interesting comments I am thinking more about taking time off in order to see the sport in a different light. One might compare their relationship with running or another intense sport with a marriage or relationship between people. Sometimes, in order to nurture it/make it grow, etc. for a lifetime, the principles involved need "space" and a "break" from each other in order to refresh the engines, gain greater appreciation, etc. for the relationship. Ditto for sport.
life is interesting
You don't need "total rest" if you train properly and if you don't actually need it. You may, however, need "total rest" if you're injured.
Often after my "season" is over, I take 2-3 weeks of easy running. The weeks include some days off which enables me to catch up with friends at post-work happy hours or simply go home after work to flip on the tube. I still try and run a shorter long run and keep the pace very easy...as if to recover. No workouts.
From Mark Allen Online:
Take a physical and mental break
Once you finished your last race of the season it is time to take a break. It is important to let your body recover but perhaps more importantly, let your mind rest from all the training and racing stress. Play a team sport, go hiking with your loved ones or go on a skiing trip. You can still do some running, swimming or biking. Just keep it fun and unstructured. New activities will invigorate you. Not to mention that your non-triathlete friends and loved ones would be glad to see you.
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